The Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis
Composed in Latin in the 15th century, it is considered the most popular Christian devotional book after Bible, well accepted among both Catholics and Protestants.Arranged in four thematic sections with short reflections and practical advice on deepening our spiritual life, the book begins with reflections on the nothingness of humanity and the need to follow Christ. The soul has to withdraw from the vanities of the world and its temptations, practice humility, give up the clever disputations of theologians and endure the world’s contempt. Solitude and silence are to be sought. Faithfulness, fervor and avoidance of overconfidence are required for salvation. Section II speaks of the need for humility as a directive for interior life. God will defend us against others’ malice when we have a clear conscience. The lengthiest part (Section III) is a dialogue between Christ and His disciple, dealing with the theme of consolation. Despite the promises of the Lord, many remain indifferent. He promises that he will never let down anyone who trusts in Him and is faithful. Perfection is to be sought in total surrender to God. When the soul thinks that it is farthest from God, then is God the nearest.
The final section speaks of the vitality and necessity of the Blessed Sacrament through which grace is conferred to the soul crippled by sin. In order to receive the Sacrament, one must “make clean the mansion” of one’s heart. We must shut out the whole world with its sinful clamour, seek solitude and meditate of one’s transgressions when the Body of Christ is offered in the Mass and in Communion. The book does not claim any originality of thought or expression. But it is endearing for its forthright clarity, sincerity and practical insight it provides into Christian spirituality. Thomas À Kempis’s book has remained an inspiration and guide to all people across cultures and acknowledged by great men like St Thomas More and Ignatius Loyola to Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi.
When Life Hurts: Finding Hope and Healing from the Pain You Carry (Baker Books, 2013)
Jimmy Evans & Frank Martin
All humans carry hurts. Some get over it and many carry them through life. Pain and emotional hurts often go unattended and lead to all kinds of disorders and unhappiness. The authors speak of a “hurt pocket” inside us in which we collect and preserve the heavy burden of hurts, destroying happy relationships and making life joyless and empty. Quoting anecdotes from personal experience and from those others whom he knew, Evans presents practical ways through which we can get healed and restore emotional and spiritual health. His method is firmly grounded in the Biblical truths. Inner peace is brought to us through forgiveness. We have to forgive ourselves as well as others. Taking responsibility for our own decisions and being open to God’s mercy and forgiveness can transform us.
“Only God can bring true healing to our hearts and help us resolve the unprocessed pain residing in the hurt pocket of our spirits. But that healing can only begin when we decide to give him access to the deepest and most painful area of our hearts.” In moments of suffering we may be tempted to reject God.
God can heal the deepest and the most painful wounds. But He first needs us to open up to him and own those struggles that hold us hostage to sin or insecurity or dysfunction. Christ is the “Hurt healer.” Three truths about divine healing: (1) Healing is a partnership between us and God; (2) It is a lifestyle and demands a change in the way we live; (3) It is about finding God’s purpose for our lives.
“We all know that God can deliver us from our pain, but instead He often chooses to deliver us through it. God allows pain and turmoil because it is often during times of suffering that we’re most engaged in the relationship. He uses tragedy to draw us to himself. “Sometimes hurt and sin can be passed down generations, establishing patterns of negative behaviour inherited from our elders. By seeking God’s help, we can break the legacy of inherited hurts.” The book includes an eight week study guide for individuals and groups.
Dr Gigy Joseph
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